Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week 2 November - 8 November 2022

Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) and nighttime crater incandescence during 31 October-7 November. Six eruptive events and two explosions produced volcanic plumes that rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater rim and ejected large blocks as far as 900 m from the vent. Sulfur dioxide emissions were slightly high on 1 November at 1,900 tons per day.

Alaid - Kuril Islands (Russia) : KVERT reported that the eruption at Alaid was ongoing during 27 October-3 November. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images.

Askja - Iceland : On 9 November Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) lowered the Aviation Color Code for Askja to Green noting that although deformation data indicted continuing magma accumulation at depth, with a total uplift of 40 cm since August 2021, it was not accompanied by elevated seismicity.

Bagana - Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 2 November ash plumes from Bagana rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE based on satellite data. A thermal anomaly was present at the summit.

Dukono - Halmahera : PVMBG reported that daily white-and-gray ash plumes from Dukono rose as high as 400 m above the summit and drifted NE, E, and S.

Ebeko - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions on 28 and 31 October and 1 November generated ash plumes that rose to 3.6 km (11,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in eastern directions. Ash plumes drifted 110 km SE on 1 November. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 1-3 November.

Fuego - South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 4-10 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 1-8 November, generating daily ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim. The ash plumes drifted as far as 15 km NW, W, SW, and SSW, causing almost daily ashfall in areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Los Yucales (12 km SW), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), La Rochela, San Andrés Osuna, Finca la Asunción, and Ceilán. Daily shock waves rattled structures in communities around the volcano. Daily block avalanches descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Honda, Las Lajas (SE), and El Jute (ESE) drainages, often reaching vegetated areas. Explosions ejected incandescent material as high as 200 m above the summit on some of the days.

Great Sitkin - Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued at Great Sitkin during 2-8 November and seismicity was low. Satellite images were often cloudy, though elevated surface temperatures were identified almost daily. The flow field continued to grow, with lobes of lava extending more than 600 m E and around 430 m S.

Grimsvotn - Iceland : On 9 November Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) lowered the Aviation Color Code for Grímsvötn to Green noting no short-term increases in activity, though long-term trends remained above background levels. Seismicity continued to be characterized as unusual, with an increasing number of earthquakes that were also intensifying over the past months. The levels of deformation had already exceeded the level measured before the last eruption in 2011.

Kilauea - Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava continued to effuse from a vent in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater during 2-8 November entering the lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. The active part of the lake remained at a steady level all week.

Mauna Loa - Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported continuing unrest at Mauna Loa during 1-8 November. The seismic network detected 13-50 daily small-magnitude (below M 3) earthquakes 2-5 km beneath Mokua’weoweo caldera and 6-8 km beneath the upper NW flank of Mauna Loa. Data from Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments at the summit and flanks showed continuing inflation, though data from tiltmeters at the summit did not show significant surface deformation over the past week.

Merapi - Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 28 October-3 November and seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.2 km down the W flank (upstream in the Kali Sat drainage). No significant morphological changes to the central and SW lava domes were evident in drone photographs.

Pavlof - Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that a minor eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 2-8 November and nearly continuous seismic tremor was recorded. Multiple explosions were detected almost daily in seismic and infrasound data. Trace ash deposits on the NW flank were identified in satellite images during 1-2 November, and minor steaming was visible on 3 November. Minor steam-and-ash emissions were visible in webcam images and observed by pilots during 3-4 November, and ash deposits on the flanks were visible. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 4-8 November.

Sabancaya - Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported moderate levels of activity at Sabancaya during 31 October-6 November with a daily average of 30 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the summit and drifted NE, E, and SE. As many as five thermal anomalies originating from the lava dome in the summit crater were identified in satellite data. Minor inflation continued to be detected near Hualca Hualca (4 km N).

Sangay - Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 1-8 November. Almost daily thermal anomalies were identified in satellite images, though weather clouds often prevented views. Incandescence at the summit was periodically visible at night. Daily ash-and-gas plumes were identified in either or both IG webcam photos and satellite images according to the Washington VAAC. Plumes generally rose as high as 2.1 km above the volcano and drifted NW, W, and SW. Ash emissions were first observed at 0520 on 4 November and then the amplitude of tremor signals increased at 0650. A pyroclastic flow descended the Volcán River drainage on the SE flank at 0700. The emissions intensified at 0840 and a plume rose 8.3 km above the crater rim and drifted NW, W, and SW. Minor-to-moderate amounts of ash fell in several cities including Riobamba (50 km NW), Guamote (42 km WNW), Colta (55 km NW), Alausí (60 km SW), Pallatanga (70 km W), Chambo (40 km NW), and Chunchi (73 km SW) during 4-5 November.

Santa Maria - Southwestern Guatemala : On 6 November INSIVUMEH reported that activity at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex transitioned from more extrusive to more explosive. The rate of lava effusion and advancement of the lava flows in the San Isidro and El Tambor drainages on the W and SW flanks had notably decreased. Explosivity had become more intense and audible in the recent weeks and particularly in the previous few days, according to seismic and infrasound data, webcam images, and reports from surrounding residents. Gas emissions had increased, and sulfur dioxide emissions were identified in satellite images during recent days. Gas, ash, and steam plumes rose as high as 500 m above the dome complex. Block avalanches from the dome, along with the ends and sides of the flows, descended the S, SW, and W flanks. Some block collapses generated ash clouds that rose to several hundred meters high. Lahars descended the Cabello de Ángel drainage (a tributary of Nimá I on the SE flank) on 3 November, carrying tree trunks, branches, and blocks up to 1 m in diameter. Minor ashfall was reported in Finca San José and La Quina on 5 November.

Semeru - Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 2-8 November. An eruptive event at 0507 on 3 November produced a white-and-gray ash plume that rose 300 m above the summit.

Semisopochnoi - Aleutian Islands (USA) : On 7 November AVO stated that small explosions at the N crater of Mount Cerberus at Semisopochnoi had been detected in geophysical data during the previous week and volcanic tremor simultaneously resumed. Though ash emissions were not visually observed, the type of unrest was similar to previous periods associated with ash emissions below 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l.

Sheveluch - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch during 27 October-3 November was generally characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, and lava-dome extrusion. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. Collapses generated hot avalanches and ash plumes that drifted 200 km SE on 31 October and 1 November. The Kamchatka Volcano Station reported that activity notably increased on 5 November. Debris avalanches and small pyroclastic flows were visible throughout the day and incandescent avalanches were seen traveling SE and SW at night.

Suwanosejima - Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 31 October-7 November and crater incandescence was visible nightly. An explosion at 0137 on 4 November produced an eruption plume that rose 2.4 km above the crater rim and ejected large blocks 200 m from the vent. Ashfall was reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW).